Oct. 18, 2011 - "A Gallup poll released on Monday found that 50 percent of those surveyed favor the legalization of marijuana while 46 percent want to keep it illegal. The poll prompted a statement on Tuesday from Republican presidential hopeful former Gov. Gary Johnson of New Mexico....

“'I have said for some time that marijuana legalization was approaching a "tipping point" in terms of public support, and this survey shows that we are there,' said Johnson.... 'Americans increasingly see what I saw as governor: that treating marijuana use as a crime, rather than a health issue, accomplishes nothing other than ruining lives and overwhelming law enforcement and the courts.

“'Refusing to face the truth about marijuana laws and their failure is the modern-day equivalent to Prohibition, which served only to jump-start organized crime -- just as our marijuana laws are providing vast riches to the cartels who are terrorizing our southern border,' added Johnson. 'Yet, for the most part, there are no politicians who will speak that truth, much less act upon it. With 50 percent of Americans open to the idea of legalization, why won’t the ruling class at least let us have the conversation?'"